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National Numismatic Collection

The National Numismatic Collection (NNC) of the Smithsonian Institution is one of the largest numismatic collections in the world and the largest in North America. With over 1.6 millioin objects, the NNC contains many great rarities in coins and currency, from the earliest coins created 2,700 years ago up to the latest innovations in electronic monetary exchange, as well as fascinating objects such as beads, wampum, dentalia, and other commodities once used as money.

The collection emphasizes the development of money and medals in the United States. The core of the U.S. collection, consisting of more than 18,000 items, including coins of great rarity, came to the Smithsonian in 1923 from the United States Mint. Exceptional rarities include the Brasher half doubloon, the 1849 double eagle (first of the gold 20 dollar pieces), and two 1877 fifty dollar patterns. Other rarities are include the 1913 Liberty head nickel as well as all three types of the 1804 dollar, and two of three known examples of the world's most valuable coin, the 1933 double eagle, the third of which recently sold for 7.6 million dollars. Learn more about the collection.

Below you will find a selection of over 350 objects from the collection. We are working to expand and improve online access to additional objects in the near future, so stay tuned.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped Liberty head right, date below. Reverse: Denomination in wreath. This is a transitional pattern dated 1891 that was adopted in 1892. Charles E. Barber designed this coin and its companion quarter dollar and half dollar. Two of these transitional dimes are known, both at the Smithsonian.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped Liberty head right, date below. Reverse: Heraldic eagle, stars and clouds above, denomination below. This pattern incorporates all of the designs to be introduced on circulating quarters in the following year. However, the clouds on the pattern design were removed before production commenced. Two specimens of this pattern exist, both at the Smithsonian Institution. [reference no. Judd 1761]

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Heraldic eagle, stars and clouds above, denomination below. This is one of a series of pattern half dollars by Charles E. Barber. The obverse design is essentially identical with the format adopted for coinage in 1892. The reverse is different, and the clouds above the eagle never appeared on circulating coinage. This pattern is unique.

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. The reverse reintroduces the clouds above the eagle, but in a more stylized way. Two pieces are known, both in the Smithsonian Institution. [reference no. Judd 1764]

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. The reverse reintroduces the clouds above the eagle, but in a more stylized way. Two pieces are known, both in the Smithsonian Institution. [reference no. Judd 1764]

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Eagle, stars and clouds above, all within wreath. Both known patterns with these designs are in the National Numismatic Collection. [reference no. Judd 1765]

United States Mint, Philadelphia. Obverse: Capped head of Liberty facing right; stars around and date below. Reverse: Eagle, stars and clouds above, all within wreath. Both known patterns with these designs are located in the National Numismatic Collection. [reference no. Judd 1765]